THOUSANDS of mourners gathered at a vigil in Southport, Merseyside, on Tuesday evening, after a fatal knife attack on a children’s dance class the previous morning (News, 30 July).
Two girls, Bebe King, aged six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, aged seven, died on Monday. A 3rd girl, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, aged nine, died from her injuries in hospital within the early hours of Tuesday, Merseyside Police said. Five other children and two adults who were hospitalised remain in a critical condition.
The stabbings happened at a totally booked summer holiday dance and yoga class on the Hart Space studio, about one mile east of the town centre. Merseyside Police said in a press release on Wednesday that a 17-year-old male had been charged with the murders; 10 counts of attempted murder; and possession of a bladed article. He can’t be named for legal reasons, as he shouldn’t be 18. He has been remanded in custody and was as a result of appear in Liverpool Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: “Whilst these charges are a major milestone inside this investigation, this stays very much a live investigation and we proceed to work with our partners from Lancashire Police and Counter Terrorism Policing North West (CTPNW).”
At the identical time because the vigil on Tuesday, a protest was held outside the local mosque, which turned violent. Mersyside Police reported: “At around 7.45 pm, a big group of individuals — believed to be supporters of the English Defence League — began to throw items towards a neighborhood mosque on St Luke’s Road in Southport.”
Police officers had been deployed, and, “in consequence, an officer has suffered a suspected broken nose and police vehicles have been damaged and set alight”.
Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss said: “It is sickening to see this happening inside a community that has been devastated by the tragic lack of three young lives.
“In the last 24 hours, we now have seen overwhelming support and sympathy from the community and wider Merseyside communities for the families. . . The actions in Southport tonight will involve many individuals who don’t live within the Merseyside area or care in regards to the people of Merseyside.
“There has been much speculation and hypothesis across the status of a 17-year-old male who’s currently in police custody and a few individuals are using this to bring violence and disorder to our streets.
“We have already said that the person arrested was born within the UK and speculation helps no person presently.”
The next morning, members of the community helped to clear up the damage, including rebuilding a wall.
The Liverpool Religion Mosque Network said in a press release: “A minority of individuals are attempting to portray that this inhumane act is in some way related to the Muslim community. Frankly, it shouldn’t be, and we must not let those that seek to divide us and spread hatred treat this as a possibility.”
The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, who had laid flowers on the police cordon on Tuesday morning, responded: “The scenes of thuggery we now have seen on the streets of Southport this evening bear no relation to the best way the Southport community has been coming together to support one another and to support grieving families.”
On Wednesday, the protests spread to Hartlepool and London, where greater than 100 people were arrested. The Prime Minister was as a result of speak on Thursday in regards to the escalation. His spokesperson said: “While the suitable to peaceful protest should be protected in any respect costs, he can be clear that criminals who exploit that right with a view to sow hatred and perform violent acts will face the complete force of the law.”
A JustGiving page arrange by the community to support the families affected has accrued donations totalling greater than £300,000, after an original goal was set of £13,000. The funds raised can be donated to the Alder Hey Children’s Charity, to support with funeral costs.
